Trump’s aggressive Yemen strikes raises concern over civilian harm
Donald Trump’s first hundred days in office have seen the number of civilians killed in airstrikes in Yemen rise, sparking concern, the Guardian reported on April 30th.
On April 28th, 68 people were killed in a strike on a detention centre in Saada, north Yemen, Middle East Eye via the Yemen media outlet Al Masirah TV reported on April 28th.
Footage published by Houthi media showed a destroyed detention facility with bodies trapped beneath rubble, according to RTE on April 28th. The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross’ delegation in Yemen, Christine Cipolla, said: “It is unthinkable that while people are detained and have nowhere to escape, they can also be caught in the line of fire.”
The UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the organisation was “deeply alarmed” by the reported strikes and called on “all parties” to safeguard civilians.
Since mid-March, the new campaign under the Trump administration has targeted over 800 Yemeni sites. France 24 via Reuters reported on April 18th, that an airstrike on Ras Issa fuel port reportedly killed at least 74 people and wounded 171 people. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the aim was to disable the Houthi-controlled fuel terminal.
US Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, has emphasised a required shift in strategy focused on “lethality.” Hegseth has cut programmes that intend to minimise civilian danger.
On the same day as the US strike on the detention centre, an American fighter jet worth $60 million slipped off a hangar deck, the New Arab via AP reported.
US officials said initial reports from the scene indicated the aircraft carrier, on which the jet was being towed, turned to avoid Houthi fire. That caused the fighter jet to fall into the sea.
The Guardian, RTE, The New Arab via AP, Middle East Eye via the Yemen media outlet Al Masirah TV, France 24 via Reuters
